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Tracking & Retaining Commuter Students: How To Engage Your Off-Campus Population. Dr. Amy Golden Director for Strategic Initiatives Amy.golden@asu.edu. Why are you attending this presentation?.
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Tracking & Retaining Commuter Students: How To Engage Your Off-Campus Population Dr. Amy Golden Director for Strategic Initiatives Amy.golden@asu.edu
Why are you attending this presentation? My institution has no specialized services/programs for or means to engage off-campus and/or commuter students. My institution has limited services/programs for or means to engage off-campus and/or commuter students. My institution has limited funding for off-campus and/or commuter student services. My institution is interested in tracking and retaining off-campus and/or commuter students.
Webinar Agenda • Definition • Practice based in theory • Trends & Needs • Engagement vs. Programming • Successful Programs and Services • Additional Resources
Who are Commuter Students? “Traditional age” student living in family’s home “Traditional age” student living off campus Transfer student Veteran student Adult learner/Non-traditional age student (25 years or older) Married student Student with dependent(s) Online learner
Definitions ASU’s definition of COMMUTER Students • A student who lives at their permanent address • ALL Commuter Students are Off-Campus students
Multiple Life Roles Family Professional Development Student Campus Activities/ Student Orgs Academics Social Life/Work Elliptical Orbit Model – John Nonnamaker, Providence College, Rhode Island
#1 Need - Transportation • parking, traffic, transportation schedules, inclement weather, maintaining a car, costs • have you ever looked into a commuter’s car?
#1 Trend - Sustainability • being a “green” commuter • challenges and/or deterrents
Developing a Sense of Belonging • need to feel wanted • physical space • need opportunities • interaction with faculty • interaction with other students • engagement and success
Did you know…? Students who live off-campus and commute have a higher freshman retention rate than residential students.
Best Practices • Drexel University http://drexel.edu/oca/c/CT_Programming_Curriculum.asp • The Ohio State University http://offcampus.osu.edu/ • Grand Rapids Community College http://cms.grcc.edu/foodpantry
Community Liaisons • Students who reside in apartment community • assist with problem-solving efforts • educate students regarding their rights and responsibilities • coordinate social programming • CL’s are university employees • work 6-8 hrs/wk at OCCSS front desk • works 2-4 hrs/wk with apartment community
Peer Mentors • Pilot program • Team concept • Matched commuter student with: • faculty (same class) • peer mentor commuter student • Met in small groups
Best Practices cont. • University of Maryland http://thestamp.umd.edu/student_involvement/off-campus_student_life • Town Gown Certificate Program http://www.itgau.org/certificateprogram/description
National Resources ACPA Commission for Commuter Students and Adult Learners http://www.myacpa.org/comm/commuter/ National Clearinghouse for Commuter Programs http://nccp.nsuok.edu/ CAS Standards: Commuter and Off-Campus Living Programs http://www.cas.edu/getpdf.cfm?PDF=E8691D43-F622-313D-B58D3B648AED9A55
Dr. Amy Golden Director for Strategic Initiatives Arizona State University amy.golden@asu.edu (480) 965-7661 Off-Campus & Commuter Student Services http://www.asu.edu/studentaffairs/reslife/occss